What investment opportunities are there outside of Niseko?

In our regular catch-up with Chris Pickering, CEO of Uchi, we ask what is available when it comes to real estate investment opportunities outside of Niseko. And we made sure to enter Uchi’s winter giveaway of $4,000 USD of Perfect Moment ski wear first!

“Niseko remains the crown jewel of real estate in Japanese ski resorts,” states Chris, “mainly due to the wide range of investment options, historical returns and the well-developed infrastructure around the resort in terms of restaurants, spas, ski schools and so on.”

“However, there are plenty of other options away from Niseko. Generally speaking these tend to be cheaper but don’t always assume that means greater value. Niseko is a world-famous resort for a reason and that brings a higher number of guests, more reliable occupancy and generally speaking more rental income for your investment property.”

“That said, there are plenty of resorts where properties are available with potentially more upside. The risk remains that the resorts don’t grow as rapidly as Niseko did, but the reward is that you can still pick-up well-priced ski-in ski-out properties or some real bargains. This week I have highlighted some options for you to have a look at.”

Don’t forget to head to uchijapan.com/properties to view all the properties on Uchi. With listings from over 30 agents and developers across Japan’s top ski resorts, Uchi’s lightning-fast and easy-to-use site is your go to option when it comes to finding your dream home or investment in Japan.

Rusutsu

Ok, this one is a bit easy because is only 30 minutes away from Niseko and almost falls under the same umbrella! The resort has amazing snow in winter and tends to be quieter on the slopes than Niseko, but also has so much to do in summer with four golf courses and even a theme park. Real estate options are growing, so you should check out:

The Vale Rusutsu: the only “Niseko-style” hotel accommodation in Rusutsu, this ski-in ski-out hotel was built by the team behind The Vale Niseko.

Prices start from 65m JPY ($480,000 USD) and there are a range of options from one bedroom units up to stunning Penthouses.

The Vale Rusutsu. View more images

: it’s not only apartments though, there are more and more houses popping up in Rusutsu. Whether you are looking for a luxury chalet on one of the golf courses or a Japanese-style home less than 3 minutes from the lifts, you should check out the opportunities starting at 38m JPY ($280,000 USD)

Rusutsu Chalet 2. View more images

Rusutsu has a lot to offer the savvy investor and there are also several land plots available for small or large developments, so to search all the latest Rusutsu properties.

Nozawa Onsen, Madarao & Myoko

Nozawa Onsen and Madarao sit less than two hours from central Tokyo by bullet train and therefore benefit from being close to the largest city in the world, meaning good year-round occupancy from international and domestic guests, while still sitting deep in the beautiful Japanese mountains. Myoko is a short ride further up but still within 3 hours of the capital.

Nozawa Onsen

Nozawa Onsen enjoys its unique position as a living Japanese town next to the lifts where you can enjoy the 13 free local onsen that give the resort its name and for real estate you can’t look beyond the . A totally refurbished development that only has a couple of units remaining, this property gives the “Niseko-style” accommodation and service a new footing in this popular resort town. Prices start from 35m JPY ($260,000 USD)

Madarao

is seeing significant investment interest since the resort was bought by a Singaporean fund and several properties have been sold in recent weeks but there are still some exciting options for lodges with ski-in ski-out access to the resort. Prices start from only 38m JPY ($280,000 USD).

Madarao Pension. View more images

Myoko

is a stunning resort area that encompasses several ski resorts and golf courses. Interest in the area is high with many international investors picking up hotels, lodges and land in Akakura in particular.

Furano

Sitting a couple of hours north of Sapporo, Furano is famous not only for the winter snow but the hugely popular and beautiful lavender fields which attracts tens of thousands of summer visitors.
Development has picked up speed in the area, mainly thanks to the team behind Fenix Furano. The first condo-hotel in the series sold out almost immediately and Fenix Furano West has now come to market and is due to open this winter. Options start from 69m JPY ($510,000 USD) for a one bedroom apartment and there are plenty of other investment opportunities in the area too – click here for more listings in this year-round resort.

Fenix West, Furano. View all Furano properties

Hakuba

Hakuba Valley is made up of 11 resorts and has a great collection of local and international businesses and investment options in place. Previously there was a lack of “Niseko-style” condo hotels but the beautiful ski-in ski-out boutique apartment Roka has solved that! But you’d better move quickly as only two apartments remain.

Roka, Hakuba. View more images

Other options in the area include the new ski-in ski-out Hatsuyuki building that has just come to market as well as a plentiful selection of houses, lodges and small hotels.

Check out all the by clicking here – prices start from as little as 42m JPY ($310,000 USD).

Of course there are hundreds of excellent options for your ski property investment in Japan – head to uchijapan.com/properties to view them all!